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By some strange miracle, or perhaps dumb luck, you make it back out of the preserve in record time. Your trail ends, opening up to a wide vegetable garden and beyond, you see a cheerful looking farmhouse. Lights are still shining brightly from the windows. You hurry around to the front door, only sparing a brief glance for the grinning jack o' lanterns on the porch steps.
A teenage girl answers your loud knock. You recognize her instantly. Trixie Belden's photo has landed in the Sleepyside Sun enough times that you'd know those blue eyes and blond curls anywhere. Standing just behind her is a tall, dark-haired young man you assume is one of her brothers. "It's a little late for trick-or-treating," Trixie says dryly, "And you're a little old to be running around asking for free candy, aren't you? Though that's some costume. Zombie?" It's only then that you realize how you must look after your night in the preserve. Wincing, you shake your head. Your explanation about your grandfather and the robbery and the stolen loot comes out a garbled mess. Trixie glances back at her brother who nods after only a slight pause. She takes a step back, holding the door wider. "Why don't you come inside," she says. "You can wash up and we'll get you something hot to drink and then you can tell us all about it." |
Two days later, it's your photo that lands in the Sleepyside Sun, along with a detailed account of the robbery, the disappearance of Douglas Bell, and your recovery, decades after, of the thousands of dollars stolen from Sleepyside First National Bank. You decided to leave all mention of ghostly sightings out of your retelling, not willing to risk a trip to a psychiatric ward "for your own good."
To your surprise and delight, not only have you honored and completed your great-aunt's request and redeemed the family honor, you've been given a cash reward of $2000 for returning the missing money. Now, it's up to you to decide how to spend it!
To your surprise and delight, not only have you honored and completed your great-aunt's request and redeemed the family honor, you've been given a cash reward of $2000 for returning the missing money. Now, it's up to you to decide how to spend it!